RANGERS: Ovechkin helps Capitals beat Rangers 3-1 in Game 1

Washington Capitals center Marcus Johansson (90), from Sweden, celebrates his goal with New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30), also from Sweden, and defenseman Dan Girardi (5) standing nearby in the second period of Game 1 of a Stanley Cup NHL playoff hockey series on Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin’s franchise-record 31st career playoff goal got the Capitals started before less-heralded teammates Marcus Johansson and Jason Chimera scored 46 seconds apart, and Washington beat the New York Rangers 3-1 Thursday night in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Ovechkin, a two-time MVP who led the NHL with 32 goals this season, crashed the net to score on a power play about seven minutes into the second period to tie the game for the Capitals, the third-seeded team in the Eastern Conference.

Carl Hagelin had put sixth-seeded New York ahead 1-0 in the first period — the only puck that made it past Braden Holtby, who finished with 35 saves.